Quick facts: Swetha and Ishaan were married in a traditional Hindu ceremony followed by a reception at The Rockleigh in Rockleigh, New Jersey. The day featured a cherry-blossom-and-hydrangea ceremony mandap in blush pink, dusty blue, and violet; a high-energy baraat with the groom arriving in a BMW i8; and a reception ballroom transformed with dramatic red rose installations and a marble-and-gold backdrop.
If you're planning an Indian wedding in Northern New Jersey or the greater NYC area, this real wedding is packed with ideas — from color-blocked floral mandaps to how to style a South Asian fusion reception.
The Couple
Swetha (@swayyxc) and Ishaan (@ishaanwaghray) celebrated their wedding day surrounded by family and friends, blending traditional Hindu wedding rituals with modern reception details. Their wedding stationery and favors carried the simple, elegant monogram "Ishaan and Swetha" throughout the weekend.
The Venue: The Rockleigh
The wedding was held at The Rockleigh, a Northern New Jersey wedding venue known for its manicured gardens, tree-lined pathways, and elegant indoor ballrooms — making it a popular choice for large South Asian weddings that need both a beautiful outdoor ceremony space and a ballroom big enough for a full baraat and sangeet-style dance floor.
Getting Ready
The morning began with the bride in a pink-and-gold Kanjeevaram-style silk saree, layered with a temple-style gold necklace, jhumka earrings, and a maang tikka. Intricate bridal mehndi (henna) covered both hands and arms, designed by Henna by Shweta. Hair and makeup were done by Glamorous by Juanita, who created a soft, radiant bridal look that lasted from the morning ceremony through the night's reception.
Getting-ready details included stacks of bangles in ruby red and gold, a beaded bridal clutch, and the couple's custom wedding invitation suite in dove grey and gold foil.
A Cherry Blossom & Hydrangea Ceremony Mandap
The ceremony décor, designed by Wedding Design and Decor, transformed The Rockleigh's stone pergola into a floral showstopper. Cascading blush pink cherry blossoms, dusty blue hydrangeas and delphinium, and deep violet blooms spilled down the columns and draped across the archway, with trailing amaranthus adding texture and movement.
Below the arch, the traditional Hindu wedding rituals unfolded: the mandap included the sacred fire (agni), a decorated kalash, and floral-and-rose garlands (jaimalas) that Swetha and Ishaan exchanged during the jaimala ceremony. The couple performed the ritual offerings together, seated on matching cream chairs styled with rose and jasmine garlands.
The Baraat: A BMW i8 Entrance
Ishaan's baraat (groom's processional) arrived in true showstopper style — standing through the open door of a BMW i8 as family and friends danced and cheered him toward the mandap, all dressed in a coordinated palette of blush, sage, and ivory. The groom wore an ivory sherwani with a matching pagri (turban) topped with a white feather kalgi, plus a ceremonial kirpan (sword) carried during the procession.
Guests brought serious style to the baraat, from a sapphire-blue banarasi saree to a pastel-mint suit with a tropical print shirt — proof that South Asian wedding guest fashion is half the fun.
Couple Portraits in the Garden
Between the ceremony and reception, Swetha and Ishaan stepped away for portraits among The Rockleigh's tree-lined paths — soft, candid moments that balanced out the day's bigger, more theatrical set pieces.
The Reception: Red Roses, Black Marble, and Gold
For the reception, Wedding Design and Decor pivoted the palette entirely — trading the ceremony's pastel pinks and blues for a moody, glamorous reception in deep red, black, and gold. Oversized red rose and hydrangea centerpieces hung suspended above long feasting tables set with black linens, gold flatware, and hanging glass votives. A lounge area featured a black velvet sofa framed by gold-veined marble panels and cascading red florals — the perfect photo backdrop for the night.
A Little Cake provided the wedding cake, a clean white tiered design that let the surrounding red floral display take center stage, while Moghul Caterers kept guests fed throughout the night.
Swetha changed into a champagne-gold embellished lehenga for the reception, pairing it with statement mirrored earrings for her grand entrance and first dance with Ishaan. The couple's entrance had guests on their feet immediately, and the dance floor stayed full well into the night, with MVP DJs keeping the energy high for the rest of the reception.
Wedding Vendor Team
- Venue: The Rockleigh
- Planning: Our Day Events
- Photo & Video: Unique Visions Studio
- Music/DJ: MVP DJs
- Hair & Makeup: Glamorous by Juanita
- Henna: Henna by Shweta
- Decor & Florals: Wedding Design and Decor
- Cake: A Little Cake
- Catering: Moghul Caterers
- Bride: @swayyxc
- Groom: @ishaanwaghray
Frequently Asked Questions
Where was Swetha and Ishaan's wedding held? The wedding took place at The Rockleigh, a wedding venue in Rockleigh, New Jersey, known for its gardens and ballroom spaces suited to large multicultural celebrations.
What flowers were used in the ceremony mandap? The ceremony mandap featured cherry blossoms, hydrangeas, delphinium, roses, and hanging amaranthus in a palette of blush pink, dusty blue, and violet.
What kind of ceremony did they have? Swetha and Ishaan had a traditional Hindu wedding ceremony, including a baraat (groom's processional), jaimala (garland exchange), and rituals performed around a sacred fire under a floral mandap.
What car was used for the baraat? The groom arrived for his baraat in a BMW i8, greeted by dancing family and friends before proceeding to the mandap.
How was the reception decor different from the ceremony? The ceremony used a soft pastel palette of pink, blue, and violet, while the reception decor shifted to a dramatic red, black, and gold theme with oversized hanging rose centerpieces and a marble-paneled lounge area.
Who planned and decorated the wedding? Our Day Events handled the planning, and Wedding Design and Decor designed the florals and decor for both the ceremony and reception.